Star Tribune photographers captured moments that define 2016, from the death of Prince to the wrenching finale to the search for Jacob Wetterling. See and feel the sweep of events, through the lenses of our visual journalists.

Our annual holiday books guide highlights a dozen novels and a dozen books of nonfiction, as well as a liberal sprinkling of glowing picture books; important young-adult fiction; bold, gorgeous graphic novels, and regional books steeped in sense of place.

It's tempting to drop everything and roam Minnesota to catch all the crimsons and golds at this time of year. But who has time for that? We've found your leaf-peeping match. Just follow our flow chart.

The deaths of children have prompted the resignations of child protection officials around the country. Meanwhile, a national commission is studying ways to better protect children from abuse and death.

The Star Tribune identified 56 children since 2005 who died from maltreatment in Minnesota, even though they or their caregivers were previously known to child protection. The names were obtained through state and county child welfare records, court documents and medical examiner reports.

STATE BUDGET SURPLUS: Minnesotans are split on whether most of the $1.9 billion projected surplus should be refunded, spent or saved. But if it is refunded, a majority say it should be returned proportionally, based on how much income tax a person paid.

TRANSPORTATION: Most Minnesotans rate the state's roads as being in only fair to poor condition, but only 45 percent support Gov. Mark Dayton's proposal to increase the gas tax to raise more money to pay for improvements.

The Star Tribune identified 56 children since 2005 who died from maltreatment in Minnesota, even though they or their caregivers were previously known to child protection. The names were obtained through state and county child welfare records, court documents and medical examiner reports.

The following Star Tribune Minnesota Poll findings are based on interviews conducted Sept. 8-10 with 800 Minnesota likely voters via land line (70%) and cellphone (30%). The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research Inc. Read more...

Despite overseeing the region's transit system, most members of the appointed, 17-member Metropolitan Council rarely take public transportation. Following a request for transit card data, the Star Tribune conducted a survey of the members. See below for their detailed responses.

TAXES: According to a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll, two-thirds of Minnesotans think the government should outlaw corporate inversions -- the much-discussed business tactic in which U.S.-based companies acquire foreign firms and then move their own headquarters to a country with lower tax rates Read full story

The senate race: U.S. Sen. Al Franken leads his Republican challenger Mike McFadden by double digits, but that lead narrows dramatically outside the metro area and flips in northern Minnesota, according to a Star Tribune Minnesota Poll. Read full story

Gov. Mark Dayton holds a double-digit lead over GOP challenger Jeff Johnson with less than two months to the election, but one in five voters have yet to make up their minds about the contest, according to a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll

race relations: The hope that America's first black president would help stitch together a more harmonious racial mosaic lies in tatters, as most people say race relations have stagnated or worsened since the 2008 election of Barack Obama, according to a Star Tribune Minnesota Poll. Read full story

The economy: More than half of Minnesotans believe the state's economy is in better shape now than four years ago, even though the same number say their personal finances are about the same, according to a Star Tribune Minnesota Poll. Read full story